Youth Prevention

Research

Peer influences: The impact of online and offline friendship networks on adolescent smoking and alcohol use
New study findings provide evidence regarding the effects of social online activity on teens’ health behaviors. The study, published in the Journal of Adolescent Health, examined the use of online social networking sites (SNS) among friends and how these SNS activities related to adolescent risk behaviors. Researchers measured egocentric friendship network data, social media use, and risk behaviors among 1,563 tenth grade students in California. The results of the study show exposure to friends' online pictures of partying or drinking was significantly associated with both smoking and alcohol use. Adolescents without drinking friends were more likely to be affected by higher exposure to online pictures displaying risky behavior. Researchers conclude risky online content directly impacts adolescents' behaviors and interacts with risk behaviors of their friends. This evidence suggests that friends’ online behaviors are a viable source of peer influence and future interventions should inform adolescents of the effects of their internet use. Click here to view the study abstract.

Health agency laments 'alarming' substance abuse among U.S. teens
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released a new report showing an alarming rate of daily alcohol, cigarette, and marijuana use among U.S. adolescents. The report titled “A Day in the Life of American Adolescents: Substance Use Facts Update” shows that on an average day, 881,684 teenagers aged 12 to 17 smoked cigarettes, 646,707 smoked marijuana, and 457,672 drank alcohol. The data indicate that every day, approximately 3,701 young people smoke cigarettes for the first time. The study findings suggest that many young people remain at risk for substance abuse, including cigarette use. Data used for the study include the 2010 and 2011 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health, the 2010 Treatment Episode Data Set, the 2010 National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services, and the 2011 Drug Abuse Warning Network. Click here to read more or click here to view the SAMHSA press release. Click here to view the full study in the Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality Report, a SAMHSA publication presenting facts about adolescent substance use.

State/federal effort to reduce illegal tobacco sales to minors shows continued success
All fifty states and the District of Columbia have met an overall goal of reducing illegal tobacco sales to minors as set forth by the Synar Amendment program. Published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a new report shows that the 9.1% national average retailer violation rate of tobacco sales is half of the 20% target rate set by the Synar Amendment program. The report also shows nine of the fifty states have retailer violation rates below 5%, and 33 states and the District of Columbia have a violation rate below 10%. The Synar Amendment is a SAMHSA program requiring states to have laws and enforcement programs for prohibiting the sale and distribution of tobacco to persons under eighteen. Click here to read more or click here to view a press release from SAMHSA.

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Reports

Florida sets example for the nation in cutting high school smoking to less than 9% (FL)
The results of the 2013 Florida Youth Tobacco Survey show that the state’s high school smoking prevalence has dropped to 8.6%, among the lowest high school smoking rates ever recorded by any state. The high school smoking rate is almost half the national youth smoking rate of 15.8% as recorded by the 2011 National Youth Tobacco Survey. Funded by Florida Health and Tobacco Free Florida, the survey also presents data pertaining to the number of students who have ever tried cigarettes, current cigarette use, and frequent cigarette use. The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids publicly applauded Tobacco Free Florida for their progress in youth tobacco prevention, stating the new data affirms the effectiveness of youth prevention strategies, and sets an example for other states. Click here to view a statement from The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, or click here to view the full report more.

Doctors support raising the smoking age (NY)
A recently published commentary in the Annals of Internal Medicine discusses the benefits and consequences of a recent proposal in New York City to increase the legal age for tobacco sales from 18 to 21. Critics of the proposal state small businesses may suffer, the city will lose tax revenue, and the law may infringe upon individual rights. Proponents of the proposal state that the law would help keep youth away from tobacco and have positive population-level health effects. Estimates have shown that the proposal will cut tobacco use by 55% among individuals 18-20 year olds and lead to a 67% drop among teens aged 14-17 years. Click here to read more or click here to view the study abstract.

Rise is seen in students who use e-cigarettes
A national survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that the use of e-cigarettes among middle school and high school students more than doubled from 2011 to 2012. Data from the 2011 and 2012 National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS) were used to estimate ever and current use of e-cigarettes, conventional cigarettes, and both products concurrently. Study findings show e-cigarette use doubled among U.S. middle and high school students during 2011–2012, resulting in an estimated 1.78 million students having ever used e-cigarettes as of 2012. One in 10 high school students said they had tried an e-cigarette last year, up from 1 in 20 in 2011. In 2012, 76.3% of those who had ever used e-cigarettes reported current conventional smoking. The findings support tobacco control advocates’ concerns regarding the safety of e-cigarettes and e-cigarette use as an entry point for youth tobacco use. CDC researchers state the drastic increase in e-cigarette use among youth indicates a critical need to prevent the marketing, sales, and use of e-cigarettes among youth. Click here to read more or click here to view a statement from the American Heart Association. Click here to view the study abstract in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).

Primary care interventions to prevent tobacco use in children and adolescents: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has updated the 2003 recommendation on primary care interventions to prevent tobacco use among school-aged children and adolescents. The recommendation states that primary care clinician interventions, including education and brief counseling, can prevent the initiation of tobacco use in children. Behavioral counseling interventions such as face-to-face or phone interaction with a healthcare provider, print materials, and computer applications, were shown to decrease the risk of smoking uptake among children. The new recommendation is based on a review of evidence on the effectiveness of primary care interventions on rates of initiation or cessation of tobacco use among children and adolescents. Click here to read more.

Letter asks major studio to keep smoking, brands out of trailers
Legacy and other tobacco control groups issued a letter to the Comcast Corporation asking the company to minimize exposure to tobacco brands and images of smoking in the forthcoming film, Rush. The movie is based on a rivalry between two racecar drivers competing for the Formula One racing championship, and features several images of smoking and the Marlboro brand in the promotional materials. The letter states the promotional materials may glamorize tobacco use among the vulnerable youth population. Click here to read a statement by Legacy regarding the letter they co-signed with the American Academy of Pediatrics, Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education at the University of California, San Francisco, and the offices of the Attorneys General of Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Iowa and Vermont.

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